Fundamentals of Gua Sha

About this course

Gua Sha is often recognized as a scraping technique, but its real value lies in how it may support pain relief, tissue mobility, circulation, inflammation response, muscle tension, and overall recovery when applied safely. By the end of this course, learners will understand the foundations of Gua Sha and how to apply techniques with appropriate tools, pressure, body regions, and treatment goals. Guided by Dr. Constance Bradley, this course introduces the origins, theory, and therapeutic applications of Gua Sha through both traditional Chinese Medicine and modern clinical perspectives. Learners explore why Gua Sha is used, how the body responds, and how to approach treatment responsibly. Through historical context, practical demonstrations, and technique instruction, learners study tool selection, pressure control, treatment regions, musculoskeletal applications, safety considerations, and clinical reasoning for pain, tension, and systemic concerns. Healthcare, bodywork, and wellness professionals will gain practical tools for integrating Gua Sha into care, while general learners will better understand what Gua Sha is and why it is used. This course offers a clear, balanced introduction to applying Gua Sha safely and effectively.

Course objectives

• To familiarize learners with the origins and theory of Gua Sha
• To teach practical demonstrations and techniques for effective application
• To address safety considerations and clinical reasoning for treatments